It's been a momentous year in style.
Thanks to big red-carpet events, fashion designers pulling out all the stops and the celebrity elite all debuting some amazing looks throughout the last year, it's been a truly fashionable 2012.
Kristen Stewart, Angelina Jolie and Kate Middleton © Rex
So to celebrate - and relive the glamour all over again - we've picked our Top 10 fashion moments from 2012...
1. Launch of the Mulberry Del Rey bag
American singer Lana Del Rey crashed onto the music scene with her debut album ‘Born To Die’ in January 2012. After becoming fashion's latest darling, the muse was treated to her very own named bag (Del Rey) with British heritage brand Mulberry launching a handbag in her honour. The high street soon filtered out copies and replicas as demand went global. Lana follows in the footsteps of iconic fashionista Alexa Chung whom Mulberry also created a satchel aptly named the ‘Alexa’ too. A true fashion status.
2. Angelina Jolie – Right Leg At The Oscars
The first half of this year was all about the leg. Angelina Jolie’s leg to be precise. That’s right, the A-list actress stuck her right pin out whilst posing (in a Versace gown) at the annual Oscar Ceremony back in February and caused a worldwide storm, with Twitter officially launching an ‘Angie's Right Leg’ account in her honour. Since then stars such as Penelope Cruz, Natasha Poly, Kate Middleton et al have all been snapped posing in similar stances on the red carpet.
3. Cannes Film Festival - Eva Longoria
The biggest talking point of The 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival this year was actress Eva Longoria. The pint-sized starlet sent flashbulbs into overdrive as she adorned the red carpet in a sparkling silver Marchesa mermaid gown, complete with dusky pink tulle train. Eva, who is always a red carpet favourite dazzled and was added to every best dressed list in town, whilst hot on her heels were actresses Diane Kruger and Freida Pinto - as well as Cheryl Cole who picked out two stunning Stephane Rolland gowns for her infamous comeback.
4. London 2012 Olympics
We couldn’t compile the Top 10 Best Fashion Moments Of 2012 without adding in the London 2012 Olympics. Aside from the amazing sense of Britishness and a whole heap of medals from Team GB, the Olympic organisers also laid on a fantastic closing ceremony which included some of our favourite celebrities. None more so than the Spice Girls who reunited in style for the event. Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, and Victoria Beckham were all laden upon classic LED-lit black taxi cabs as they sung renditions of 'Wannabe' and 'Spice Up Your Life' whilst wearing a selection of British gowns from designers such as Giles Deacon, Suzanne Neville, Maggie Cooke, Zuhair Murad and er, JD Sports! Well, you can’t win them all…
5. Lady Gaga Models Michael Jackson Clothing At Philip Treacy Catwalk Show
Fash-forward to London Fashion Week in early September for the spring/summer 2013 collections and it was all about Lady Gaga, who was asked to model for milliner Philip Treacy at his runway show. Gaga, quirky as ever, stepped out in a mixture of Michael Jackson costumes for the late King of Pop’s inspired collection. Opening the show in a sheer pink fabric Gaga introduced the designer before MJ’s infamous "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin’” blasted out onto the catwalk. Edgy and cool, we loved.
6. Kate Middleton Takes Centre Stage
Just one year into her marriage and Kate Middleton is pulling out all the stops to cement her place within the Royal Family. The Duchess of Cambridge has already won over the public, but has now also showed off her compassionate, caring and occupational side by helping to lead a string of Royal engagements throughout 2012 - most importantly welcoming the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics culminating in a second royal tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific.
Marie Claire’s Acting Online Editor Eleanor Young commented: “My fashion highlight of 2012 has to be Kate Middleton's show-stopping Jubilee tour wardrobe. Having already established herself as a fashion face to watch, Kate has become increasingly assured in her style choices, rocking everything from hot new name Prabal Gurung, to her style staple, Alexander McQueen.
"During the Jubilee tour, the Duchess battled the heat, humidity and a ridiculously packed schedule to pull out look after perfectly styled look, never faltering in her favourite nude heels. With her choices catering perfectly for every eventuality, Kate flew the fashion flag for Britain and wowed the crowds day after day. This royal definitely has her finger on the style pulse!”
7. Secret Celebrity Weddings
Last year it was all about the super weddings and jaw-dropping gowns with the likes of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Kate Moss and Jamie Hince and Kim Kardashian tying the knot. However, this year it has transformed to the 'secret wedding,' with celebs like Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively getting hitched in secret. Our favourite celebrity look though has to be Justin Timberlake And Jessica Biel. Jess’ pink candy floss floral gown (designed by Giambattista Valli) was statement yet chic and showed off her fun side. Aside from showing Jess in a new light it was also different and slightly edgy creating an ethereal romantic stance – and we’re sure a new wedding trend for 2013.
8. Kristen Stewarts Fashion Comeback
After what seems like a turbulent year (with her relationship in crisis and a pending Twilight finale premiere) Kristen Stewart came back with a bang this autumn showing off a selection of designer outfits and style that seemed to spout from nowhere.
Katherine Ormerod, Senior Fashion News & Features Editor at Grazia Magazine notes that: “My best dressed [celeb] of the year is Kristen Stewart. While I haven’t loved everything she wears the transformation over the past 12 months has been sensational. Key to the shift has been her relationship with former Balenciaga designer Nicholas Ghesquiere who has brought a sense of rock and roll sex appeal to her style sensibility. From her premiere gowns to her photocall low-key looks, K-Stew has become a serious fashion contender – quite the turnaround from the surly Twilight star of yester year!”
9. Rihanna’s 777 Tour
Singer, performer and executive producer (Styled To Rock) – is there nothing this girl cannot do? But it seems that as famous as the Barbadian beauty is, Rihanna still made plenty of time to do a whistlestop tour back in November. Her 777 Tour, which saw the singer head out for seven days in seven cities in seven countries, showed off a string of styles whilst she performed to hundreds of thousands of fans. Her eclectic flair continuously keeps her on top of the style charts making sure that every piece which is chosen (by her stylist Lysa Cooper) and worn, is replicated throughout by high street stores creating a whole new trend of its own. Hence why next spring we can also look forward to the singer’s first ever fashion collaboration with high street chain River Island. We can’t wait…
10. Flash Mobs And Fashion Exhibitions
Aside from Valentino’s Master of Couture exhibition, which runs at Somerset House until March 2013, there have been several other fashion designers taking centre stage in London this year. Belinda White, The Telegraph’s Online Fashion Editor recalls Stella McCartney’s flash mob during London Fashion Week.
“We knew that Stella McCartney's return to LFW (albeit for one night only) was never going to be a disappointment, but what happened that night took everyone by surprise. As the guests were finishing their dinner, suddenly several dancers and models scattered among them jumped up from their seats and burst into an elaborate and carefully coordinated dance routine. A truly special fashion moment to remember.”
Alongside this, master shoe designer Christian Louboutin showed off over 100 pairs of heels to fans at the Design Museum between May and July whilst master of fashion Karl Lagerfeld led the way with his iconic photographic ‘Chanel: The Little Black Jacket’ exhibition which showcased an assortment of celebrities including Lily Allen, Stella Tennant and model Edie Campbell in one classic black Chanel jacket styled over 100 different ways – What a lucky city we are…
